The Humble Place
True humility is not trying to make ourselves good, but rather leaving the whole thing in God's hands and trusting in His working within us.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the distinction between true humility and false humility, noting that many Christians either mistakenly believe they are humble or fear they are proud. He advocates for a self-forgetful attitude where individuals trust in Christ to work within them, rather than striving to appear virtuous on their own. Tozer asserts that true humility leads to a release from the burdens of self-expectation, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide moral actions. He warns that pride can lead to the forfeiture of God's blessings, as the humble are the ones who receive His promises. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep reliance on God's grace rather than self-effort.
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I have met two classes of Christians; the proud who imagine they are humble, and the humble who are afraid they are proud! There should be another class: the self-forgetful men and women who leave the whole thing in the hands of Christ and refuse to waste any time trying to make themselves good. They will reach the goal far ahead of the rest. The truly humble person does not expect to find virtue in himself, and when he finds none he is not disappointed. He knows that any good deed he may do is the result of God's working within him.
When this belief becomes so much a part of any man or woman that it operates as a kind of unconscious reflex, he or she is released from the burden of trying to live up to the opinion they hold of themselves.
They can relax and count upon the Holy Spirit to fulfill the moral law within them. Let us never forget that the promises of God are made to the humble: the proud man by his pride forfeits every blessing promised to the lowly heart, and from the hand of God he need expect only justice!
Sermon Outline
- The Two Classes of Christians
- The Self-Forgetful
- The Result of True Humility
- No Expectation of Virtue in Oneself
- Reliance on God's Working Within
Key Quotes
“There should be another class: the self-forgetful men and women who leave the whole thing in the hands of Christ and refuse to waste any time trying to make themselves good.” — A.W. Tozer
“The truly humble person does not expect to find virtue in himself, and when he finds none he is not disappointed.” — A.W. Tozer
“Let us never forget that the promises of God are made to the humble: the proud man by his pride forfeits every blessing promised to the lowly heart, and from the hand of God he need expect only justice!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should leave the whole thing in God's hands and trust in His working within us.
- We should not try to make ourselves good, but rather rely on God's promises and blessings.
- True humility is the key to experiencing God's justice and blessings in our lives.